Welcoming Mark Heap as a TSF advisor

We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Heap as an advisor to The Scale Factory!

Mark has spent over 25 years helping some of the world’s most iconic brands grow across borders—leading award-winning agencies, running P&Ls across Asia-Pacific and EMEA, and advising global CMOs and boards on growth strategy. Along the way, he’s partnered with the likes of Unilever, P&G, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Uber, and many others.

But to us, Mark is more than a seasoned executive—he’s someone who knows what it means to open a door for others. In fact, TSF’s own founding partner, Lars, got his big break when Mark gave him a shot as Chief Digital Officer at PHD China. “I walked out of that interview thinking I’d nailed it,” Lars recalls. “Then Mark challenged me: ‘I’m still not sure if you are what we need.’ Instead of hiring me, he challenged me to a month-long consulting project to solve something they were having some issues with getting right. That’s Mark—he brings out your best in you . I learned more from him than from any manager I’ve had. Now, we’re lucky to be working together again."

Why Mark joined as a TSF advisor

Having worked across 40 markets and served on global leadership teams, Mark understands that successful international expansion isn’t about copying and pasting what worked at home—it’s about context, culture, and clarity.

“TSF’s model excites me because it’s not a one-size-fits-all playbook,” says Mark. “TSF understands that growth in fragmented markets takes nuance, adaptability, and a tailored approach. That’s what ambitious companies need if they’re serious about scaling.”

Mark will help TSF identify and engage the kind of founders he believes in: ambitious, adaptable, and humble enough to know when they need support.

“If a company just wants to copy what worked in Berlin and expects it to work the same in Bangkok, they’re not ready,” he says. “But if they’re open-minded and collaborative, that’s where the magic happens.”

What Mark brings to the table

Mark’s strength lies not just in his experience, but in the relationships and perspective he’s built through decades of operating at the top. His access to senior decision-makers—and understanding of how corporations actually make decisions—makes him an invaluable thought partner for us as we find new partners to grow and win with.

“Being right or even being the best doesn’t always make you win,” Mark reflects. “You have to understand the whole chessboard. I’ve lost pitches where we were clearly ahead, only to find the client had hidden dynamics we couldn’t see. That experience helps me ask better questions now.”

As AI unlocks new possibilities and innovation spreads from unexpected corners of the world, Mark sees massive opportunity—especially in emerging markets.

“LLMs are helping founders in places like Indonesia and Nigeria solve local problems in powerful new ways. The next wave of innovation isn’t just coming from Silicon Valley—it’s coming from anywhere there’s a tough problem and a smart founder tackling it.”

Why we’re excited

Mark has helped build some of the most successful agencies in the world. Now, he’s choosing to spend this chapter of his career working with high-potential scaleups who want to do things differently.

“This is a chance for me to keep learning, and to give back,” he says. “Helping great people and companies be their best—it doesn’t get better than that.”

We couldn’t agree more.